After graduating from school, he wants to study archaeology. Twelve-year-old Anton is sure of that. Because he already knows exactly what the work in archaeology is like. For three summers, he has been an enthusiastic team member at Archaeological Spessart Project (ASP). This summer he is helping to dig up the remains of an old farm from the Middle Ages in Dorfprozelten (Miltenberg district). Meters of wall remains have already been found in the roughly 30 centimetre deep holes in the ground in the Spessart forest. Several people are kneeling in the excavations with trowels and other tools in their hands. Again and again they find ceramic shards and pieces of roof tiles from the 14th century. “They go in the white bucket,” says Anne Hußlein. The 63-year-old is one of several volunteers at the ASP. She particularly enjoys looking after the children.
The special thing about the Spessart project is that anyone can take part and no one has to register. Just come and start digging. On some days, registered school classes take part. But even hikers or mountain bikers who happen to be passing by can spontaneously stop and join in straight away. Because the motto is: “Open Dig” or “Communal Dig” – open and communal digging.
The volunteers, who have been there for a long time, lead the work and on some days also give a short tour of the site. Since private individuals can take part, the excavation is a form of citizen science. Another well-known example of citizen science is when private individuals help count birds or insects in their gardens or parks.
The Spessart Project is an association. It is also affiliated with the University of Würzburg, more precisely with the Institute of History. The leading archaeologist Harald Rosmanitz is convinced of the idea of citizen science. “I see this as the future of archaeology,” says the 62-year-old. Other archaeological excavations are usually “emergency excavations” under time pressure. For example, when a site has to be archaeologically explored before construction work begins. “In addition, the locals contribute a lot to the findings with their local and historical knowledge,” says Rosmanitz. “As scientists, we see ourselves primarily as initiators and moderators.”
Authorities such as the monument protection office are often skeptical at first, says Rosmanitz. But there have never been any problems: no accidental or intentional damage, no secret excavations on weekends when no one is there to guide them.

The project has been running for over 20 years. Each year the focus is on a different excavation site. This year the research is being carried out at the so-called Lufthof in Dorfprozelten. According to the researchers, it was inhabited from around 1380 until shortly before 1800. “When we think of the Middle Ages, everyone thinks of castles, but the Lufthof was a supply farm,” says Rosmanitz. The humanities graduate, who wrote his doctorate on stove tiles in the Spessart, assumes that the Lufthof was a showpiece farm to impress. The actual conditions for agriculture at the site were not good. A large part of the farm was probably destroyed by fire. This is evidenced by a black layer in the earth that is clearly visible even to laypeople. Excavations at the Lufthof began in June and will continue until the end of September.
This year’s event will conclude with an “open excavation day” under the motto “When stones talk” on September 29th. Until then, digging will take place every working day. And there’s more: the volunteers don’t just dig: they wash the shards, measure the area, and document the finds. In between, all of the day’s helpers come together for lunch and coffee.
Many of those who dig are repeat offenders. Hußlein, who became aware of the hobby excavations through a newspaper article, has also been involved for several years. She has spent many days and hours here. The teacher took time off work specifically for the excavations. Several volunteers use their vacation days to do archaeological work. Others are retired or unemployed. Some come from the surrounding areas, others travel from more distant cities or districts. Children also come again and again. Like Anton, for whom hobby archaeology has now even become a career aspiration.